Pattaya starts laying roots for 2014 World Plant Expo

Friday, 08 March 2013 From Issue Vol. XXI No. 10
By
Vittaya Yoondorn

Pattaya this month will start laying roots on an acre of Chinese hillside to prepare for next year’s World Plant Expo.

Bandit Siritanyong, who represents Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome in the Thai-Chinese Cultural and Economic Association, said the 40 countries participating in the World Plant Expo in Qingdao will begin seeding flowers and plants by month’s end in order to be ready for next year’s summer show.

Chinese officials have allocated Pattaya a 1-acre plot and 7.5 million baht to support the exhibit by Nong Nooch Tropical Garden. The city has already provided specifications on the building model, construction, layout and materials to be used in its exhibit, which will be constructed the by Chinese starting in April.

Bandit Siritanyong, vice president of the Thai-Chinese Culture and Economy Association, presides over a preparation meeting for the 2014 World Plant Festival in Qingdao, China.

In addition, Nong Nooch executives are preparing a list of the plants and flowers they wish to display. However, Chinese officials want seeds, saplings and plants to be purchased in China, when possible.

The World Plant Expo will run from April 25 to October 31, 2014, on 1,600 acres in a hilly section of Qingdao. The 20 billion baht event is expected to draw 40 participating countries and 15 million Chinese and foreign attendees. Pattaya officials believe Nong Nooch’s showing will be so impressive, as many 150,000 or more Chinese could be motivated to visit the city.

This article was published in the Pattaya Mail newspaper on Friday March 8, 2013 (Vol. XXI No. 10).